Things to consider when choosing the location for your party

Location

Location

LOCATION!

 Where do you have a party?  Here are some things to consider; and some pros and cons for the most common locations:


Your Home
Things to consider: 
How many people are you inviting? 
How many are you expecting?  
Can they all fit comfortably inside your house?
Do you have space to have games and other activities?

Pros:
If you forget something, you are already at home
You don't have to drag half your house somewhere else
Kids like to have friends come to their home
Easier to prepare and store food.
You can (somewhat) control the environment.
Cost is easily controlled

Cons:
You have a ton of people in your house
Kids can be destructive, you may have to hide the break-ables
You have to clean up your house before the party
You have to clean up the mess after the party 
Space may be limited unless you have a large yard 

The Park
Things to consider:

Can you reserve a spot in a covered area with seating?
You are at the mercy of the weather, what will you do with wind, rain, extreme heat??
You may need to get there early to reserve your spot if it's first come- first serve.
Do the parks near your home have a lot of homeless people/ restless teenagers?
Make sure you have enough adults to keep an eye on your party guests (consider how you might "tag" them so you know they are "yours")

Pros:
Can be free (unless you reserve a spot through Parks and Rec)
Limitless space (if you don't need tables and chairs) for large parties
Playground equipment for active kids
You can play games that need a field (as long as there is not a team using the park's field)
You can make it a "playgroup" style birthday party, where you just have the kids play and end with cupcakes and juice.  Simple.

Cons:
Public bathrooms
You may or may not have access to electricity
You can't control the crowds, the weather, the weirdos that may be hanging around or stray children and dogs.
You have to bring all your crap to the park. (Think - setting up a camp site)
No refrigerator/freezer to store cold food (Other than an ice chest)
Can have a lot of set up and clean up
 
A Pizza Parlor, Laser Tag or other indoor site
Things to consider:

You have to reserve your spot early!  Keep an eye open for special party deals.
Start searching for and saving coupons that will get you free tokens or free pizzas.
Make sure you have enough adults to keep an eye on your party guests (consider how you might "tag" them so you know they are "yours")

Pros:
Easy, no clean up, minimal set-up.
No need to plan games.
Someone else practically plans and runs your party for you.
Weather is controlled
Places like bowling, laser tag and Chuck E Cheeses are popular, fun and simple!

Cons: 
It costs MORE than a do it yourself party
Indoor venues are usually crowded, and full of germs
It limits how creative you can be
If your kids want to spend "quality" time with friends, a place like this doesn't work
Your kids and their guests are spread out all over the place, it is hard to keep track of them all
 

Mini Golf, a Farm or other outdoor venue
Things to consider:

What will you do if it is unseasonably cold, hot, rainy or windy?
Can you reserve a spot or make a reservation?  Make sure you reserve it far enough in advance!


Pros:
Kids love to be outside!
Easy, no clean up, minimal set-up (if it is a birthday party package).
No need to plan games.
Someone else practically plans and runs your party for you.

Cons: 
The weather is unpredictable
It may cost more than a do-it-yourself party
It limits how creative you might want to be
You have to be outside for 2-3 hours... which may or may not be an issue for you